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Abstract:

In Brief:

A multi-center randomized trial, comparing uninstrumented posterolateral fusion with and without direct current-stimulation in patients older than 60 years. Functional outcome tended to be better in the direct current-stimulated group and was heavily dependent on the postoperative walking distance.

Abstract:

In Brief:

A multi-center, randomized trial comparing uninstrumented posterolateral fusion with and without direct current-stimulation in patients older than 60 years. Fusion rates were low and not affected by direct current-stimulation. Presence of a solid fusion was associated with superior functional outcome at follow-up.

Abstract:

In Brief:

A clinical trial with corticosteroid injections to the ischial spine in women with long-lasting low back pain with onset during pregnancy. The treatment group had significantly reduced pain intensity, number of pain locations, and pain-provoking tests. The sacrospinous ligament of the pelvis is suggested 1 source of the pain.

Abstract:

In Brief:

We confirmed that the cephalad portion of the facet joints were more sagittally oriented and the caudad portion were more coronally oriented in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis. These findings were observed not only at L4–L5 but also at the uninvolved L3–L4 level in patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis at the L4–L5 level.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Extracted medium from the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of human degenerative discs promoted axonal growth, with longer axons with medium from the nucleus pulposus than the annulus fibrosus. Nerve growth factor in extracted medium from the nucleus pulposus induced axonal growth and substance P production. These results may suggest a pathologic mechanism of discogenic low back pain.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Proopiomelanocortin gene transfer with radial shock waves was successful in vitro and in vivo. Rats transfected with proopiomelanocorti showed less pain sensation for 14 days without apparent side effects. This treatment may provide a new therapeutic strategy for the treatment of inflammatory pain.

Abstract:

In Brief:

The normal intervertebral disc is characterized by a slow ongoing cell proliferation. The presence of cells expressing proliferative and progenitor markers was found in the anulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus with similar pattern seen within several mammals. Further, cells in human degenerative discs express progenitor and stem cells markers.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Nuclear pressurization has been used to study how flexion affects the anulus’ ability to resist rupture. The resulting disc failures, which were each thoroughly documented using microcomputed tomography and microscopy in tandem, frequently displayed a consistent subset of the characteristics that symptomatic herniations exhibit clinically.

Abstract:

In Brief:

A study was carried out in a dog model to test the hypothesis that repair of the damaged disc is possible using adipose tissue derived stem and regenerative cells therapy. The results show that adipose tissue derived stem and regenerative cells were effective in promoting disc regeneration, as evidenced by disc matrix production and overall disc morphology.

Abstract:

In Brief:

To observe the feasibility, reliability, and complications of the innovative method that unilateral pedicle screws asymmetric tethering in concave side in combination with convex rib resection for creating idiopathic-type deformity.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Epidural IFNγ-immunoreactivity (IFNGI) was highly correlated with pain reduction 3-months after epidural steroid injection and decline in IFNGI in repeat lavage corresponded to relief. IFNGI predicted relief after steroids with >95% accuracy. IFNGI may be a biomarker for predicting response to steroids and/or surgical intervention, and may be a therapeutic target.

Abstract:

In Brief:

We retrospectively reviewed 25 cases of myxopapillary ependymomas. Tumor recurrence was observed in 1 case of total resection with capsule violation, in 2 cases of subtotal resection, and 6 cases of partial resection followed by local radiation only. Surgical margin obtained at initial surgery and extent and amount of postoperative radiation are crucial factors determining prognosis.

Abstract:

In Brief:

This study was carried out to assess the learning curve of accurate pedicle screw placement. Postoperative radiographs and CT scans were evaluated by 2 blinded independent observers using a grading scale to assess the performance of a Spinal Surgery Fellow during training and document the learning curve.

Abstract:

In Brief:

This is the first study to apply decision analysis to compare posterior spinal fusion with anterior/posterior spinal fusion for the surgical management of the skeletally immature adolescent with idiopathic scoliosis. The application of existing rates of complications and curve progression, when applied to the model, favored anterior/posterior spinal fusion.

Abstract:

In Brief:

We demonstrate that excellent correction in severe pelvic obliquity can be achieved in smaller, more flexible curves using an all-posterior PSF, and in larger, less flexible curves using an anterior release with PSF.

Abstract:

In Brief:

An in vivo study of the effects of mechanical loading on transport of small solutes into normal human lumbar intervertebral discs using serial postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging showed that sustained supine creep loading (50% body weight) for 4.5 hours retards transport of small solutes into the intervertebral discs.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Discography using modern small gauge needle and limited pressure disc injection resulted in accelerated disc degeneration over 10-year follow-up compared to matched controls. New MR findings for disc herniation were disproportionately found on the side of the disc injection compared to the contralateral side. Painful disc injection at baseline did not predict future accelerated disc degeneration.

Abstract:

In Brief:

To investigate the true incidence of lumbar spondylolysis in the general population, we reviewed the computed tomography scans of 2000 subjects who had undergone abdominal and pelvic computed tomography for reasons unrelated to low back pain. The incidence of lumbar spondylolysis in the Japanese general population was 5.9% (males: 7.9%, females: 3.9%).

Abstract:

In Brief:

The Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial prospectively investigated the effectiveness of surgical versus nonsurgical treatment of degenerative spondylolisthesis, using health-related quality of life outcomes. From this cohort, 356 patients underwent 1 of 3 fusion methods: posterolateral in situ fusion, posterolateral fusion with pedicle screws, or circumferential fusion, in association with their decompression, and completed at least 1 follow-up survey. With early follow-up, there was variation favoring one fusion method over another. However, at 3 and 4 years, there were no significant differences in outcomes among any of the 3 fusion methods.

Abstract:

In Brief:

In this prospective study, 121 cervical transforaminal injections were performed on 82 patients. The incidence of simultaneous epidural and vascular injection was 18.9%; adding 13.9% incidence of vascular only injection results in an overall 32.8% incidence of vascular injection. Risk of vascular injection is greater at higher cervical levels.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Delayed neurologic deterioration after spinal surgery is uncommon. Epidural fistulas uncommonly may become symptomatic from an epidural hematoma, mass effect from distended veins, and rarely from a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula. We report on a patient with delayed progressive congestive myelopathy after lumbar surgery, and discuss the pathophysiology and the anatomic basis for the causative fistula.

Abstract:

In Brief:

Detection of an epidural gaseous collection at the same level with a vacuum disc strongly suggests a communication between the intervertebral disc and the epidural space. Epidural gas collections can be implicated as a possible cause of radicular symptoms and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy.